“She’s not as pretty as you are, I think, but she needs a friend. Would you like to be her friend?”

Nodding vigorously, Janna took the doll carefully and stroked her rosy-cheeked face. Then, turning, she reached up to touch Heather’s pale hair, which was pinned back in a sleek chignon.

“Pretty,” Janna echoed.

Heather smiled warmly. “Why, thank you, sweetheart.”

Beside her, she could actually feel Sloan’s tension ease; his relief was palpable. Yet she too was grateful that she would be accepted by his young daughter.

Just then Janna gave a huge yawn and rubbed her eyes.

“Come on, darlin’,” Sloan said gently as he swung the child up in his arms. “It’s way past your bedtime. Say good night to your aunt and uncle.”

“I can put her to bed,” Caitlin offered.

“Thanks, but I want to.”

With another yawn, Janna mumbled “‘Nite,” and, clutching her doll, allowed herself to be carried upstairs.

“I’ll see to the horses and get the boys to bring in Heather’s trunks,” Jake told his wife, retrieving his coat from the stand beside the front door.

Heather flashed him a grateful smile. When he had gone, Caitlin said, “Come to the kitchen with me while I get supper on the table.”

“I’ll help you.”

“No you will not. After the grueling trip you had, you deserve to be treated as a guest. Tomorrow will be soon enough for you to take charge of the household.”

They left Ryan by the fire to play with his new toys. The large kitchen at the rear of the house was warm and welcoming, Heather decided. The copper pots and pans on the walls gleamed, the walnut breakfront cabinet shone with a high polish, while the modern range put out a steady heat. The rectangular table was set for two with white and blue patterned china.

“Sit down,” Caitlin said, donning an apron. “We’ve eaten already, but I thought you might appreciate a meal of hot roast beef.”

“I think I could eat an entire cow, hooves and all.”

Her friend smiled. “Beef usually comes from a steer, not a cow. You have to be careful what you say now that you’ll be living around cattlemen. A cow is only a cow if it’s a female bovine which has borne two calves.”

“Ah,” Heather said wryly. “Thank you for the enlightenment.”

She sat at the table while her friend went about slicing the roast and arranging carrots and potatoes and gravy on two plates.

“That seemed to go well, your meeting Janna,” Caitlin mused.

“As well as can be expected, I imagine. I’m a stranger to her. It will take time for her to accept me as a friend.”

“I know she’ll love you when she gets to know you. You seem to be getting along well enough with Sloan, at least.”

Heather hesitated, frowning. “Appearances are sometimes deceiving.”